Concern over camper arson

East Oldham District Partnership meeting

COUNCILLORS have demanded a thorough investigation into an arson attack which destroyed a mobile home and left a former Oldham couple’s travel dreams in tatters.

Martin Whitmore has lived with his partner Tina Dearden in France for the past 11 years and had come back to Derker to visit family and friends.

His Peugeot four-berth Challenger was parked in London Road when the passenger side window was smashed and the vehicle set ablaze.

A neighbour ran out of his house when he saw the blaze and saw four youths running away.

The fire brigade were called but it was too late to save the van meaning the couple’s plan to stage a six-month trip across Europe has had to be called off.

Ward Councillor Roger Hindle said: “I am extremely concerned that someone who has returned to their hometown to visit family and friends has to suffer like this. He left his van for one night in London Road and it got torched.

“It is a sad indictment for the area. People who are living in Derker don’t deserve this.”

Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Anyone who has any information is asked to call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.